Mobile computer lapdesk

ABSTRACT

A mobile computer lapdesk is provided, which includes a desk portion and soft-goods member coupled to a bottom side of the desk portion. The desk portion includes a desk surface and an adjustable member operatively coupled to the desk surface, wherein a mobile computer is coupled to the adjustable member in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation. The adjustable member may also include audio recesses, wherein the audio recesses provide passive sound amplification in response to coupling a mobile computer to the rotatable member with the audio recesses adjacent speakers of the mobile computer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Bean Bag Tablet PC Holder,” Ser. No. 61/401,822, filed Aug. 19, 2010, now pending, and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Mobile Computer Lapdesk,” Ser. No. 61/430,088, filed Jan. 5, 2011, now pending, and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Mobile Computer Lapdesk,” Ser. No. 61/435,028, filed Jan. 21, 2011, now pending, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a lapdesk and more particularly to a mobile computer lapdesk.

2. State of the Art

Mobile computers are popular for several reasons including the size, the ease of transport, the speed of operation and the convenience. The use of a mobile computer requires supporting the mobile computer and using hands to perform the functions by either touching the screen or other input devices. With mobile computers that employ a touch screen, they are equipped with touch capability for user entry and interfacing with the mobile computer. Often times, the mobile computer is supported by the user's lap, hands or a horizontal surface, like a table. This allows the user to use one or two hands to operate the mobile computer and interface with programs and applications installed on the computer.

Additionally, many mobile computers may be connected to external input devices, such as an external keyboard. The keyboard may be used to type various alpha, numeric and symbolic characters on the mobile computer. Other external accessories may be used with mobile computers.

Conventional lapdesks exist for use with laptop computers and allow a user to rest the laptop on a surface, with sometimes a soft-goods structure under the desk surface for placing on the lap of the user. These conventional lapdesks, however, do not serve to secure a mobile computer within the desk surface and further do not provide for adjustment of the soft-goods structure to user defined configurations. Additionally, these conventional lapdesks also do not provide a rotatable member that retains a mobile computer and allows it to rotate through various angles with respect to a fixed portion of the desk surface.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of mobile computer lapdesks, for an improved mobile computer lapdesk that overcomes the deficiencies described above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lapdesk for a mobile computer wherein the lapdesk comprises a desk portion to hold a mobile computer in one of a portrait or landscape orientation and further allows for movement of the mobile computer through various angles for viewing and operating the mobile computer. Generally, the mobile computer lapdesk includes a desk portion and a soft-goods member.

An embodiment includes a mobile computer lapdesk comprising desk portion comprising a desk surface and an adjustable member operatively coupled to the desk surface; and a soft-goods member coupled to a bottom side of the desk surface. The desk portion comprises an adjustable member operatively coupled to the desk surface, wherein a mobile computer is coupled to the rotatable member in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation.

Another embodiment includes a mobile computer lapdesk comprising desk portion for holding a mobile computer in a position parallel with the desk portion and a position angled to the desk portion, wherein a mobile computer is held by the desk portion in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation; and a soft-goods member coupled to a bottom side of the desk portion.

Yet another aspect includes a method of using a mobile computer lapdesk. The method comprises releaseably coupling a mobile computer to an adjustable member of a desk portion of mobile computer lapdesk in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation; angling the mobile computer lapdesk to move filler material within a soft-goods portion to a desired side; and supporting soft-goods portion of the mobile computer lapdesk with a support surface, wherein the moving of the filler material angles the desk portion with respect to the support surface.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a mobile computer lapdesk with a desk surface of a desk portion in a flat position.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a mobile computer lapdesk.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a mobile computer lapdesk.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a mobile computer lapdesk with the filler material of the soft-goods member distributed on one side to angle the desk portion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile computer lapdesk with the adjustable member in an angled position.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a mobile computer lapdesk with the adjustable member in an angled position.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of using a mobile computer lapdesk.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mobile computer lapdesk with a desk surface having top and bottom clamp devices.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mobile computer lapdesk.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the mobile computer lapdesk of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the mobile computer lapdesk of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a lapdesk for a mobile computer wherein the lapdesk comprises a desk portion to hold a mobile computer in one of a portrait or landscape orientation and further allows for movement of the mobile computer through various angles for viewing and operating the mobile computer. Generally, the mobile computer lapdesk includes a desk portion and a soft-goods member. Additionally, a mobile computer lapdesk may further function as a carrying device and a protection device for the mobile computer.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 depict an embodiment of a mobile computer lapdesk 10. The lapdesk 10 comprises a desk portion 11 and a soft-goods member 24 coupled to a bottom side of the desk portion 11. The desk portion 11 comprises a desk surface 12 and an adjustable member 14. The adjustable member 14 is operatively coupled to the desk surface 12. A mobile computer 48 may be held by the adjustable member 14. One example of holding a mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14 may include the adjustable member 14 comprising connectors 30, 32, 34 and 36 for releaseably coupling a mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14 in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation. Other examples include, without limitation, supporting the mobile computer 48 with the adjustable member 14, receiving and retaining the mobile computer 48 within the adjustable member 14, the adjustable member 14 comprising clamping devices to couple the mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14, and the like.

The adjustable member 14 may be a concave with a recessed surface 90 and side surfaces 91 and 92 bottom surface 93 and top surface 94. The adjustable member 14 may further comprise an opening 95 in the top surface 94. According to this embodiment, a mobile computer 48 is held in the adjustable member 14, wherein a bottom side of the mobile computer 48 is adjacent to or in some embodiments contacts the recessed surface 90. The mobile computer 48 may be held in a landscape orientation, wherein connectors 30, 32 and 34 engage the mobile computer 48 to securely hold the mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14. The mobile computer 48 may be held in a portrait orientation, wherein connectors 30 and 36 engage the mobile computer 48 to securely hold the mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14. The connectors 30, 32, 34 and 36 may each engage a viewing surface of the mobile computer 48. The connectors 30, 32, 34 and 36 may function to secure the mobile computer 48 to the lapdesk 10, wherein the lapdesk may be used to carry the mobile computer 48.

As is common with mobile computers, an accelerometer or multiple accelerometers are located within the mobile computer allowing the screen orientation to respond to rotation of the table computer. Because certain applications operated on the mobile computer are optimally run in either a portrait or a landscape orientation, the adjustable member 14 receives and retains by use of connectors 30, 32, 34 and 36 a mobile computer in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation. The mobile computer 48 may be interacted with by the user in either orientation. Further input and output slots or receivers of the mobile computer 48 are accessible while coupled to the lapdesk in either orientation.

The soft-goods member 24 is formed of a flexible material encasing a filler material. Further, the soft-goods member 24 may comprise a plurality of ribs 26. The ribs 26 may be formed of the same flexible material and couple a top surface of the flexible material to a bottom surface of the flexible material at a predetermined distance from each other. The ribs 26 may be formed of string that spans from the top to the bottom to keep the maximum spacing between the top and the bottom consistent. In this embodiment, the flexible material maintains its relative shape when a user lifts the lapdesk 10, such that the soft-goods member 24 is not in contact with or supported by a support surface. The shape of the soft-goods member 24 is maintained and the sagging of the bottom surface of the flexible material is inhibited. In some embodiments, the ribs are baffles or in others, the ribs have apertures to promote ease of movement of the filler material within the soft-goods member 24.

Further, the soft-goods member 24 is filled with filler material at a capacity of approximately 75% to 90% full. In other embodiments the soft-goods member 24 may be filled with filler material at a capacity of approximately 50% to 85%, and others at a capacity of 70% to 95%. In these conditions, the filler material is moveable within the flexible material in response to angling the lapdesk 10. For example, a user can lift the lapdesk 10 by one end such that the filler material flows around the ribs 26 and gathers toward one end of the soft-goods member 24, resulting in an uneven distribution of filler material throughout the inner volume of the soft-goods member 24. The lapdesk 10 may then be placed on a support surface 42 and the uneven distribution of the filler material causes the desk portion 11 of the lapdesk 10 to be support at an angle 44 with respect to the support surface 42, as shown in FIG. 4. The support surface may be a desk, a table, a floor, a chair, a user's lap and the like.

The filler material is a material that occupies an inner volume of the soft-goods member 24. The filler material may include, but is not limited to, shredded foam filler, polyurethane foam, expandable polystyrene beads (including differing qualities such as, pure, virgin and recycled), polystyrene beads, nylon beads, glass beads, dried beans (which includes various kinds and options dried beans, such as organic products), wood shavings (or other cellulose material), rice, feathers, down, buckwheat husks, bird seed, other kinds of seeds and the like. Additionally, the filler material may be air, and further it may be air in a bladder, wherein a user can fill and/or release air from the bladder until a desired amount of air is reached.

Further still, and referring to FIG. 6, the soft-goods member 24 may also comprise a storage compartment 40. The storage compartment 40 may be a compartment retained within the inner volume of the soft-goods member 24. The storage compartment 40 may be used to store items, such as, but not limited to cables and accessories of the mobile computer 48.

Additionally, the soft-goods member 24 may be a filled with solid shaped foam or other type of material. For example, and without limitation, the soft-goods member 24 may be filled with a solid wedge-shaped foam member.

While the soft-goods member 24 is shown as a rectangular prism in shape, it will be understood that other shapes and designs may be used. For example, and without limitation, the soft-goods member may be circular cylinder, elliptical cylinder, a cube, a torus shape, a triangular prism shape, other rectilinear prism shapes and the like.

Referring again to the desk portion 11, the adjustable member 14 is moveable between various angles with respect to the desk surface 12. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the adjustable member 14 may be a rotatable member 14. The desk portion 11 comprises an axis 50, wherein the rotatable member 14 rotates about the axis 50 with respect to the desk surface 12. In this way, the adjustable member 14 is operatively coupled to the desk surface 12. The rotatable member 14 may be rotated from a position wherein the back surface 52 of the rotatable member 14 is in contact with the top surface of the desk surface 12 to a position at a user defined angle 54 with respect to the desk surface 12. The adjustable member 14 may be coupled to the desk surface 12 at the axis 50 by a friction hinge, wherein the friction hinge allows for soft stops at any angle along the range of motion of the hinge. In some embodiments, the range of motion of the hinge may be between 0 and 90 degrees. In other embodiments the range of motion may be between 0 degrees and an angle greater than or less than 90 degrees. Further, in this particular embodiment, the user may adjust the distribution of the filler material of the soft-goods member 24 and also rotate the rotatable member 14 to provide additional viewing and interactive angles.

While it is shown that the adjustable member 14 is a rotatable member, other types of adjustment may be used. For example, a slot with a roller or a series of slots or recesses at varying angles along a width of the desk surface 12. For another example, the adjustable member 14 may be a single slot that maintains a mobile computer in an angled position. According to some embodiments, the slots may function as angled support members. Another embodiment of the adjustable member 14 may include a protective cover or shell that couples to a back side of the mobile computer. The protective shell may then be coupled to a receiver, wherein the receiver is rotatable, such by a hinged articulation. The shell may be removably coupled to the receiver in each a landscape or a portrait orientation. In this embodiment, the shell function to protect the mobile computer during use with the lapdesk and when removed from the lapdesk.

The desk surface 12 and adjustable member comprises recesses 20 and 22 for providing access to input and output connection slots of the mobile computer 48. Also, the adjustable member comprises audio recesses 16 and 18, wherein the audio recesses 16 and 18 provide passive sound amplification in response to coupling a mobile computer 48 to the adjustable member 14 with the audio recesses 16 and 18 adjacent speakers of the mobile computer 48. The shape of the recesses 16 and 18 allow for sound to be diverted toward a front or screen surface of the mobile computer 48 and to a user of the mobile computer 48. For example, the audio recesses 16 and 18 each comprise a concave surface, wherein the concave surface is adjacent a speaker of the mobile computer 48 when the mobile computer 48 is held by the adjustable member 14. The concave surface of audio recesses 16 and 18 is shaped and sized to deflect speaker sound output and direct and amplify that sound toward a viewing surface allowing the user to better hear the sound from the speaker of the mobile computer 48.

While it is shown that the adjustable member 14 retains the mobile computer 48 in a position where the screen is accessible, the lapdesk may also be used to store the mobile computer 48 when not in use. For example, the mobile computer 48 may be coupled to the adjustable member 14 with the screen toward the adjustable member. This prevents accidental and/or incidental damage to the touch screen of the mobile computer 48.

Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of a mobile computer lapdesk 70. The lapdesk 70 includes a desk portion 71, which comprises a desk surface 72 and an adjustable member 74, and a soft-goods member 84. The adjustable member 74 also includes a top clamp member 76 and bottom clamp member 78. The top clamp member 76 slidingly engages the adjustable member 74, wherein the distance Dl between the top clamp member 76 and the bottom clamp member 78 is adjustable. A spring may be engaged between the top clamp 76 and the adjustable member 74, wherein the spring biases the top clamp member 76 toward the bottom clamp member, such that as a mobile computer is placed between the top clamp member 76 and the bottom clamp member 78, the force of the spring applies force to the mobile computer to retain it on the adjustable member. The distance Dl may be adjusted to accommodate the varying size of different mobile computers in a landscape or a portrait view. Further, the top clamp member 76 and the bottom clamp member 78 further serve to retain a mobile computer to the adjustable member 78.

The adjustable member 74 includes a top surface 80 that a mobile computer is supported by when coupled to the adjustable member 74. The top surface and inner surfaces of the top clamp member 76 and bottom clamp member 78 may include slip-resistant material to inhibit the sliding of the mobile computer when coupled to the adjustable member 74.

The adjustable member 74 may be a rotatable member and the rotation of the adjustable member 74 operates in a manner that is substantially the same as the rotation of the adjustable member 14 described previously in this disclosure, and is hereby incorporated into the description of the adjustable member 74 by reference. When the adjustable member is in a position that is in contact with the top surface of the desk surface 72, the top surface 80 of the adjustable member 74 is substantially within the same plane as surface 88 of the desk surface. The desk surface 72 may further include a recessed portion 82 wherein the surface 88 is lower surface of the recessed portion 82. Another recess 86 in the desk surface is provided to accommodate movement of the top clamp member 76 as the distance Dl is increased.

The soft-goods member 84 is substantially the same as the soft-goods member 24 described previously, and is hereby incorporated into the description of the soft-goods member 84 by reference.

FIGS. 9-11 depict another embodiment of a mobile computer 48 lapdesk 110. The lapdesk 110 comprises a desk portion 111, which comprises a desk surface 112 and an angle support member 114, and a soft-goods member 124 the desk surface 112 may support a mobile computer 48 in a landscape or portrait orientation, wherein the mobile computer 48 is substantially parallel with the desk surface 112. The desk surface 112 may further include a slip-resistant material to inhibit the sliding of the mobile computer 48 when being supported by the desk surface 112. The soft-goods member 124 is substantially the same as the soft-goods member 24 described previously, and is hereby incorporated into the description of the soft-goods member 124 by reference. Accordingly, creating an uneven distribution of the filler material within the soft-goods member 124 causes the desk portion 111 of the lapdesk 110 to be support at an angle, resulting in the desk surface 112 being at an angle and thereby supporting the mobile computer 48 at substantially the same angle.

The angle support member 114 may be a U-shaped channel that functions to support a mobile computer 48 at an angle with respect to the desk surface 112. The angle support member 114 may receive an edge of the mobile computer 48 within the channel portion 116. The angle support member 114 may be a fixed angle with respect to the desk surface 112, wherein adjustment of other viewing angles may be accomplished by distribution of the filler material within the soft-goods member 124. The angle support member 114 may further include a slip-resistant material to inhibit sliding of the mobile computer 48 once it is received within the channel portion 116 of the angle support member 114. The angle support member 114 may further include a notch 115, wherein the notch 115 provides for access to particular user interface buttons that may be located on the mobile computer 48. The angle support member 114 may support and retain the mobile computer 48 in one of a landscape or a portrait orientation.

Additionally, each of the embodiments of a mobile computer 48 lapdesk may include a speaker, wherein the speaker may be a passive speaker or an active speaker. A connection device may be employed to connect to the audio out of a mobile computer 48, or may also engage a communication port of the mobile computer 48, wherein the connection device transmits sound from the mobile computer 48 through the speaker.

The components defining any mobile computer lapdesk may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a mobile computer stand. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any mobile computer lapdesk may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

As shown in FIG. 7, embodiments may include a method 60 of using a mobile computer lapdesk. The method 60 comprises releaseably coupling a mobile computer to an adjustable member of a desk portion of mobile computer lapdesk in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation (Step 61); angling the mobile computer lapdesk to move filler material within a soft-goods portion to a desired side (Step 62); and supporting soft-goods portion of the mobile computer lapdesk with a support surface (Step 63), wherein the moving of the filler material angles the desk portion with respect to the support surface.

The method 60 may further comprise orienting the mobile computer at a user defined angle with respect to a desk surface of the desk portion in response to orienting the adjustable member to the user defined angle with respect to the desk surface. In particular embodiments, this step may further include a step of orienting the adjustable member by rotating it about an axis of the desk portion.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. For example, a mobile computer may also include e-readers, slate computers, tablet computers and the like. Further, the desk portion of a mobile computer lapdesk may also include a recess for holding a keyboard that operates with the mobile computer. 

1. A mobile computer lapdesk comprising: desk portion comprising a desk surface and an adjustable member operatively coupled to the desk surface, wherein the adjustable member holds a mobile computer in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation; and a soft-goods member coupled to a bottom side of the desk surface.
 2. The lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the soft-goods member is formed of a flexible material encasing a filler material.
 3. The lapdesk of claim 2, wherein the soft-goods member is filled with filler material at a capacity of approximately 75% to 90% full.
 4. The lapdesk of claim 3, wherein the filler material is moveable within the flexible material in response to angling the lapdesk.
 5. The lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the desk portion comprises an axis, wherein the adjustable member rotates about the axis with respect to the desk surface.
 6. The lapdesk of claim 5, wherein the adjustable member is moveable between various angles with respect to the desk surface.
 7. The lapdesk of claim 6, wherein the adjustable member is operatively coupled to the desk surface by a friction hinge, wherein the friction hinge allows for soft stops at any angle within a range of angles with respect to the desk surface.
 8. The lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the desk surface and the adjustable member comprises recesses for providing access to input and output connection slots of the mobile computer.
 9. The lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the adjustable member comprises audio recesses, wherein the audio recesses provide passive sound amplification in response to coupling a mobile computer to the adjustable member with the audio recesses adjacent speakers of the mobile computer.
 10. The lapdesk of claim 1, wherein soft-goods portion comprises a storage compartment.
 11. The lapdesk of claim 1, further comprising a speaker comprising a connection device for connecting to the mobile computer for transmitting sound through the speaker.
 12. A mobile computer lapdesk comprising: desk portion for holding a mobile computer in a position parallel with the desk portion and a position angled to the desk portion, wherein a mobile computer is held by the desk portion in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation; and a soft-goods member coupled to a bottom side of the desk portion.
 13. The lapdesk of claim 12, wherein the soft-goods member is formed of a flexible material encasing a filler material.
 14. The lapdesk of claim 13, wherein the filler material is moveable within the flexible material in response to angling the lapdesk
 15. The lapdesk of claim 14, wherein the desk portion comprises a desk surface and an angle support member at a fixed angle with respect to the desk surface.
 16. The lapdesk of claim 15, wherein the desk portion comprises a slip-resistant material that supports the mobile computer.
 17. The lapdesk of claim 14, wherein the angle support member comprises a channel portion for receiving an edge of the mobile computer within the channel portion with the mobile computer.
 18. The lapdesk of claim 17, wherein the angle support member adjusts the viewing angle of the mobile computer in response to moving the filler material within the soft-goods member.
 19. A method of using a mobile computer lapdesk, the method comprising: holding a mobile computer with an adjustable member of a desk portion of mobile computer lapdesk in one of a portrait or a landscape orientation; angling the mobile computer lapdesk to move filler material within a soft-goods portion to a desired side; and supporting the soft-goods portion of the mobile computer lapdesk with a support surface, wherein the moving of the filler material angles the desk portion with respect to the support surface.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising orienting the mobile computer at a user defined angle with respect to a desk surface of the desk portion in response to orienting the adjustable member to the user defined angle with respect to the desk surface. 